New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-27
GRANT AND THE THIRD TERN
HIS CHANGE OF FEELING AND FINAL
COURSE OF ACTION.

Grants relief at being freed from the cares
and entanglemens OF political life at first SO
great that any reference by his friends to the
possibility Of his reentering Office was extremely
dstasteful to him. Nevertheless when the great
railroad strikes Of 1877 occurred In the first year
after his retirement. his letters from America
abounded with illusions to the situation. and not
few expressed tho wish that "strong man
fitted to copo with the emergency had been Mt
the head of the Government OF course there
was possibility of his returning to place at
that time, but If the crisis had lasted and there
had been q general demand for his services, I
think he would not then have hesitated to per-
form what he might have considered public
duty. The idea Of some such possibility was
certainly presented to his mind and although he
was always the last man to prepare for unlikely
contingencies, he still revolving what might
be incumbent him In case the gravity OF the
situation increased. He admitted to me on more
than one occasion that it might become his duty
to return TO public life. OF course he had not
the slightest thought of taking any such step ex-
ccpt In accordance with constitutional provisions
and he certainly had no desire DO resume the
cares which he had so recently laid aside. He
simply did not mean to shrink from any Of the
responsibilities which his past career and the ap
probation of his countrymen might impose.
But the crisis passed away and he felt entire
satisfaction at this result first because Of the
relief 10 the country. and next because theI
shadow Of further public station had faded from
his own future. After this he was more averse
than ever to the thought Of again becoming q
Presidential asprant. But his triumphal tour
abroad suggested the idea to his friends at home.
many of whom were anxious that he should be
kept out of the country in order to avoid prema-
ture political complications As early as March.
1873, no wrote to me from Rome: Most every
letter get from the States, like POrters to you.
ask Inc to remain abroad. They have designs for
me which do not contemplate for myself. 1t is
probable that l VIII return to the United States
either in the fall or early next spring" This
remark meant for me as much rs for any
one else, for had NOT hestated to let him know
that 1 thought the country would desire his
return to power; but at that time he had said
no word to warrant me in suppOsing that he
entertained the idea.
lie did mob, it is true, return to America SO
soon as he had expected, but this because
Of an improvement in his financial circumstances.
When he first arrived in England he told ne
that he had only $4,000 TO spend in foreign
travel if that would last two years he could stay
abroad two years, but if it became exhausted
sooner, no would be obliged to return. lie WAS
penses were proportionStely increased and Of
course the that he mentioned did not hold
out nearly long he had hoped but his son
Ulysses then living in California, was able to
make certain investments for his father which
resulted in placing nearly 100000 at his disposal.
and then General Grant was enabled to travel as
far and as long as he pleased. Accordingly he
extended his stay.
In the early part OF 1870 he left Europe for
the last time. l accompanied him far
Marselles where he took steamer for the Fast.
and up TO that time he had said word to me,
nor, | am confident, to any other human being.
defining his intentions or desires In regard 10
third term. Mrs. Grant often assured me that
so far ms she could judge he had formed no de-
termination in the matter. I believe that at
this time he had neither expectation nor ambition
10 return to power.
He showed this very plainly by insisting,
against the advice OF every political friend he had
in the world, returning to America. Every
who knew anything about American politics
could foresee an immense enthusiasm on his
arrival, which, il IL was developed opportuney
might sweep him into the Presidency: while If
time were allowed for IL to cool, all the opposi-
ton and efforts OF rival candidates could OF
course be Concentrated and render even his re-
nomination difficult. This was said or written
to him In hundred forms by the men who
wished his denomination and thought themselves
sufficiently intimate important to offer their
views. But he paid no attention to the advice,
and returned TO America in the autumn OF 1872
nearly o year before the Presidential election
and more than six months sooner than his sup
porters desired Tie reason he always asst, ned
was that slrs. Grant wanted TO see her
children lie himself was far from being tired
Of travel on the LIST Of August. 1879, he wrote
TO ne: AT the end Of twenty six months dread
going back, and would not II there were u line Oh
steamers between here and Australia. But
shall 90 to NY quiet little homo in Galena and
remain there until the cold drives me away
Then ! shall probably go South-posslby 10
Havana and MeXico--tO remain until April. On
the 10th Of the same month he wrote TO me
IL do not feel bad over the information - gave
you / am not candidate for any office, nor
would hold one that required any manGuvrins
or sacrifice to obtain
The enthusiasm that attended his return was
greater than the most sansuine had anticipated
and gave him the keenest gratltication. Al
december he wrote me long account of it from
Philadelphia In this letter he said: To-day
start for Cuba and Mexico but he continued
81 expect to be back in Galena as soon us the
weather gets pleasant in the spring, and to remain
there until time to go to Long Branch. VIII
then have the summer to arrange for perna- |
ncnt home and occupation. 1t may DO The mic |
arayual canal. In which case Will i've In new
Yorl, City. It must be occupation or country |
home. My means will not admit OF city home
without employment to supplement- them.
replied that thought tho country would ma an
employment for him that would require hun 20
1.-Two in Washington; but Nv this he made no
response. - c,... ua
In April / returned to the United States ana
found that he had already arrived from Mexico
and gone as he had intended, to his little home In
(;alcna The country was at this time In the fui
flood of excitement that precedes the presidential
nominations Grants stubbornness In returning
had produced exactly the result that DIS lriendS
had forescen. limo was given FOL the opposition